More cases of measles in peak season

Following the complicated development of measles with more hospitalized cases, the Preventive Medicine Department warned of vaccination against the fatal disease on January 17.

The health authority pointed out the disease is caused by measles virus which is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes in the winter-spring season from ill people to healthy one.

Measles will cause fatal complications including pneumonia, diarrhea, dry cornea, bronchitis, and encephalitis easily leading to death especially amongst children with chronic diseases or premature amongst pregnant women.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health warned parents to take kids to nearby medical clinics for vaccination as per the schedule. Moreover, they should regularly keep personal hygiene as well as keep sick kids at home for separation.

Peak number of reported cases was reached with 116 deaths and 3,360 measles cases of 9,008 cases with fever with rash in 61 cities and provinces in 2014.